-Emmerson-
Looking down at the papers strewn across the coffee table I picked up one that seemed to be at least a few centuries old. The page was yellowed and brittle the delicate handwriting seemed to be fading. Glancing at the rest of the pages I noticed that they were just about the same.
"We need to get all of these typed up and printed out. They are too old to be handled by multiple people." I said without looking away from the page I had in my hand. "I can do it if you'd like it will give me something to do since I no longer have a job." I said gently placing the page down and looking at Marcus.
"I am sorry about your job, once your heat cycle is up we can head back to your pack and grab some more of your belongings. If you want to we can even stop by your work and see if we can work something out with them, maybe you can do your work from here and then you could go in once a week physically." Marcus said and he really did seem sorry. I placed a hand on his and smiled at him.
"Thank you, but my place is here. As much as I love that job, we are werewolves and our pack comes first. Besides maybe I can find something to do with my artwork and photography here, who knows." I said shrugging.
As I had said the words I knew in my heart they were true, as a werewolf my duty was to the pack, not just myself. As an Alpha Female I was responsible for the well-being of the pack just as Marcus was. Right now it was more important to help save our species then work in some little town Gallery.
Thank you.
I smiled at Marcus, his dark hair disheveled and eyes tired, this was wearing him out. The stress of trying to help me cope and fix our ancestors mistakes was heavy on his shoulders. It was time for me to step up as Alpha female and help him shoulder the burden, I needed to meet the pack.
Over the next few days I had met the majority of the pack and began typing up the pack history's. Marcus's Beta Nathen, a tall muscular man with sandy blonde hair, often came to help us with the pages as did Hellen. By the end of the first week we had nearly half of the pages typed up and laminated, organized in a binders.
The heat left my body nearly two weeks after we had become mates and our mate bond was fully complete. It had been a long couple of weeks and keeping myself busy with the pack history's was the only thing keeping me from jumping Marcus's bones every chance I could or vise versa.
"Do you want to go visit your old pack this weekend?" Marcus asked out of the blue while we were laying in bed one night, still wrapped up in each other's embrace.
"Would it be wise to leave right now?" I asked looking up at him.
He smiled and kissed my forehead pulling me closer. "Nathen can look after the pack for a couple days, besides I'm sure you would like to see your family and get the rest of your things."
"It would be nice to see them, let them know everything is okay. The way we left was probably pretty hard on them." I said thinking of that day. It had been such a disaster, especially not knowing what to expect when it came to being true mates.
"I am sorry Luna." His words were soft and I could tell he still regretted his actions that day.
"Marcus, you need to forgive yourself, it wasn't your fault, neither of us were prepared for the mate bond." I said as I snuggled into his chest.
"No, but even still I should have controlled my wolf better." He whispered before we drifted off to sleep.
The next morning Marcus packed a bag for himself along with my hair brush and other bathroom supplies. I didn't need any clothes as most of them were still in my room at my parents house. When he finished he came into our closet where I was sitting in one of the chairs putting a pair of brown ankle boots with a small heel on them on. I had decided to dress nicer today since we were heading to see my old pack. I had on a pair of fitted dark wash skinny jeans and a nice long sleeve maroon dress shirt. I also decided to put on a light knitted shawl that was a cream color. My hair was down in heavy curls and my makeup was light.
"Are you ready?" Marcus asked as he helped me up and kissed my lips. "I called your father to let him know we are coming."
"How did he sound?" I asked hesitantly. My father was a good Alpha but lately something seemed to be bothering him.
"Fine, I think he's a bit stressed out. He sounded worried about something." Marcus said as he took my hand and led me out of the bedroom his duffel bag in his other hand.
As we made it to the foyer I could smell Hellen's cooking in the kitchen and grinned. It smelled of French toast, eggs and bacon. Over the past couple of weeks I had learned that Hellen's cooking was definitely something to behold. The woman knew her way around a kitchen. Marcus set his bag down by the door and we headed for the kitchen where we could hear Nathen and Hellen talking.
"It's about time! I thought you'd never get out of bed." Nathen said winking at me as we entered the room. I smiled, Nathen had quickly become a good friend. His fun and carefree attitude made him easy to be around.
"Well you know, beauty sleep and all that." I said joking back. We sat down next to him and grabbed the plates of food Hellen had set out for us as we walked in.
"Are you sure you want to go see your old pack after being around this overly amazing one." Nathen said elbowing me playfully.
"Nope, it's going to be horribly boring with out your smart ass remarks." I said back and Marcus chuckled from beside me.
"Hey just don't bring home a new best friend, I don't share best friends." I rolled my eyes at his remark.
"What about Marcus and I?" I said raising an eyebrow.
"That's different you are mates so technically I'm not really sharing because you are both my best friends."
Do you think he rehearses these things.
Marcus said through our bond amusement in his voice.
Nope I'm pretty sure the bullshit just spills out at random.
Marcus snorted a laugh at my words and Nathen narrowed his eyes at us. I shrugged faking innocence as we finished our meal.
"Thank you Hellen, it was wonderful as always." I said as I placed my dishes in the sink and began washing them.
"You're welcome dear. Have a good time with your family this weekend okay. I know it may feel weird at first not being a part of that pack anymore but try and have fun." She said giving me a hug when I finished washing my dishes.
We said by to Nathen as we left the house to which he promptly stated that he'd hold the fort down. I rolled my eyes and hopped into my side of the SUV. Marcus grinned at me as he shut the door, I think the witty banter between Nathen and I helped him relax and not be so serious all the time. As we pulled out of the long gravel driveway Marcus picked my hand up weaving his fingers through mine.
"You're nervous." He said as and I knew he had felt it through the bond.
"I don't know why." I said honestly.
"You've changed since you saw them last. Your stronger not just physically but as a true mated Alpha you are more dominant than even your father. I'm sure that is confusing." He said and I realized he was right, it was going to be awkward being more dominant then the Alpha, My father, that raised me.
When we finally pulled up to my old house I waited in the car for a minute and Marcus came to my side of the car. He opened it and held out his hand to me and I took it. I didn't let go as my parents and little brother walked out of the house and Marcus just brushed his thumb along the back of my hand reassuringly.
Everything will be fine Luna mine.
I glanced at him grateful for his comfort. As soon as Sam saw me he started to run towards me a huge smile on his face and it made me feel even better. I let go of Marcus's hand to hug Sam tightly to me.
"I missed you so much Emmy. Are you coming back home?" He asked me excitedly I sighed and pulled him back so I could look at him.
"No my home is with a different pack now Sam. But I will come visit you as often as I can and maybe when you are older you can come visit me too." I said and he nodded enthusiastically.
I looked up as my mother came over to us and smile at me pulling me into a hug. I hugged her back looking over her shoulder to Marcus who smiled and winked at me. When my mom pulled back my father looked me over as if to see that I was okay before he too pulled me into a hug.
"How are you Emmerson?" He question was one of concern but also underlined with his frustration from the day I left.
"I'm good dad." Looking over at Marcus I smiled. "We are good." My father smiled and nodded before turning to acknowledge Marcus. He shook Marcus's hand in a friendly gesture but I could tell it was going to take a bit for him to trust Marcus. "Well should we go inside?" I asked trying to change the focus off of us.
"Yes, why don't you and Marcus go discuss business sweetheart." My mom said to my Father who nodded and gestured to the house. "Emmerson you need to go say hi to Maddy she was really upset that you didn't tell her goodbye. You can invite her over for dinner as well if you'd like." My mother said with a smile as she started herding my brother into the house.
Are you okay with me going to get Maddy?
I asked Marcus through are bond not because I needed his permission but because I was worried about leaving him alone with my father.
Yes Luna, your father and I will be fine. Just try to hurry though, now that you smell like another pack it will make your old pack members uneasy.
I nodded in understanding and gave him a quick kiss on the lips before heading in the direction of my best friends house. When I knocked on her door and she answered, I almost laughed at her wide eyed expression. That is until she scowled and punched my arm.
"What the hell Emmy!! You couldn't even call me! You get signed over to some other pack for an agreement and you couldn't even say goodbye. Wait did he force you not to have contact with this pack." She said an angry expression on her face. I pulled her into a hug.
"No Maddy I wasn't forced to do anything I just left my phone here and I've been busy getting to know him and my new pack. I'm sorry I should have said goodbye but everything happened so fast I didn't have the time." She raised an eyebrow at me in disbelief. "Marcus is my true mate Maddy." I said in explanation, her eyes widened at what I said. I guess the look on my face was serious enough because she believed me.
"True mates haven't been around in..."
"Over two centuries, I know. Come on we can talk at my parents house my mom wanted me to invite you to dinner." I said smiling at her. She nodded and walked with me towards the Alpha house.
Where are you Alpha mine.
I asked Marcus through the bond as we entered my parents home.
"I'm right here Luna." Marcus said turning the corner from the study so he was standing in front of us. He smiled at me and took my hand and then turned to Maddy. "You must be Maddy, I am Marcus King, Emmerson's Mate." He held out his hand to her and shook hers quickly. She blushed and turned to me with a grin.
"Damn girl no wonder you were busy." I rolled my eyes at her sexual innuendoes.
"Okay continuing on to the kitchen." I said winking at Marcus. He chuckled under his breath and squeezed my hand.
You are blushing Luna. I haven't even given you good reason to blush.
My mouth opened in shock at Marcus's comment in my head. He smirked at me before letting me go to the kitchen with Maddy. I shook my head as I turned back to Maddy who seemed to be amused.
"So you have the mental bond like in the stories then." She said noticing I had been obviously having a conversation with Marcus through our thoughts.
"Yes. It's amazing Maddy, I hope that you find your true mate." I said smiling at her, hopeful that she really would get the chance for a connection to someone like this. She smiled but it didn't seem to be a confident expression.
"I don't think that will happen Emmy. I'm stuck here and we already know that none of the men in the pack are my true mate. I'm not aloud to leave and visit other packs so honestly I'll probably end up with someone here." Her words were sad and I understood them all too well.
"Maybe I can see if you can come with Marcus and I to our pack. There are over a hundred or so available men in our pack, maybe one of them is your true mate." I said and her face lit up excitedly.
"Really!"
Luna don't make any promises we may not be able to keep.
Marcus's warning in my head reminded me how hard it would be to make such a thing happen. I had to try though, the thought of Maddy not being able to be with her true mate because of a stupid ancient rule just didn't sit right with me.
We need to try Marcus, wolves need to find their true mates. What better way to start a pack alliance then to have true mates being found between these to packs.
I could sense his frustration with this through the bond.
We can discuss it later tonight Luna mine. For now just spend time with your family.
I let out a frustrated growl as we walked into the kitchen and Maddy and my mom looked up at me questioningly.
"Sorry." I said shrugging. "What can we help with mom?" I asked looking around at the food that seemed to be for the most part ready.
"Let's just get the table set and the food on the table then we can eat." My mother said handing me a pile of plates.
"Sweet we get the easy stuff thanks Mrs M." Maddy said as she grabbed silverware and placemats. My mom pinned her with a, you're lucky I didn't make you cook everything, look and Maddy hurried out of the kitchen to the dinning room. I rolled my eyes and followed after her.
After we set the table and brought the food over I left the kitchen to go see what my Father and Marcus were discussing in the study. Walking in My father looked up at me with a slightly irritated look on his face that I interrupted them. He never aloud women into the study when it came to business. Marcus just pulled me close wrapping his arms around me and continued talking.
"I'm thinking about holding a pack event, dinner, dancing, and games for a one night event. Would you be interested in having your pack join us. It would be a good chance to have the single wolves meet and perhaps be able to find their true mates as well." My father looked shocked at Marcus's words.
"Nothing like it has been done in a long time. I'm not so sure it would be a good idea." My father said. I wanted to jump into the conversation and suggest Maddy come stay with us, but Marcus pinched my side lightly in warning.
Not yet Luna.
"Well we can discuss it more tomorrow and maybe come up with a few ideas that might put your mind at ease. It smells like the ladies have got dinner ready for us." Marcus said and my father reluctantly agreed.
"Yes maybe we can discuss this again tomorrow." He said a little stiffly. I frowned why was he so rude to Marcus? I mean I get that Marcus was a little out of hand the last time he was here but it wasn't that bad.
He feels threatened because I am younger and more dominant than him.
Marcus said through the bond as we walked to the dinning room. I almost rolled my eyes, but I also understood that dominance wasn't just having control over a situation it was being able to handle situations better. As we walked into the dinning room everyone was sitting down already. My father begrudgingly sat down before us as well. We were the most dominant so we sat last and started eating first, that was the way of the wolf. As we ate Sam started firing off questions to Marcus at hundred miles and hour, to my mothers bewilderment.
"Sam! Calm down." My mother said crossly and the pup settled down but continued his question in between bites of roast.
"Is there a lot of trees there like there is here? Do you have a lot of land to run on?"
Marcus laughed and whole heartedly answered Sams questions. The rest of us just listened to Sam and Marcus amused at the light banter.
Later that evening Maddy said her goodbyes and headed home. I smiled as I felt Marcus wrap his arms around me from behind. I leaned back into him enjoying being so close to him. Suddenly I remembered the discussion Marcus had been having with my father before dinner, I hadn't know anything about it.
When were you going to tell me about your idea to host a get together between the packs?
I asked him as we stood on the front porch just enjoying each other's company.
I just thought of it, I figure it might be a good idea to get the other packs attention. Especially if some wolves find their true mates at the party.
I thought about it for a minute, it was a bold move. The Packs didn't mingle, even the alliance between our too packs was a rare thing. But if it got the other Alpha's attention in a good way and more wolves found their true mates it would be worth a second glance.
I think it's smart but where would we do it? Even with the massive size of our Alpha house there isn't enough room for that many wolves.
The question seemed to catch him off guard for a moment. So it was a good thing that I mentioned this conversation then. Leave it to the man to plan something but not actually plan.
We'll have to look into it, I know there are a few abandoned estates on the edge of our property between our two properties maybe we can fix one up.
Damn our pack was more well off than I expected if we could just up and decide to fix up an estate for a party. I turned around in his arms to look up at his face. He looked down at me and smiled leaning down to kiss my forehead.
"You want to head to bed? It's getting late and you look tired Luna." Marcus said as he ran a hand up and down my back.
"Please, I feel exhausted." I said leaning my head against his chest for a moment.
He smiled and took my hand into his leading me back into the house towards my old room.
"Marcus can I still a moment of your time?" My fathers voice came from his office. I groaned in irritation I just wanted to go to bed with my mate.
You go on upstairs I'll be up in a minute, promise.
I nodded grumpily and trudged on towards my room without him. I didn't even realize how tired I felt until he had mentioned going to bed. We'd been up since six o'clock this morning and it was already nearly eleven o'clock in the evening. Not to mention being around my family and Maddy seemed to drain me more. When I got to my room I shut the door behind me and sat down on the queen sized bed. With my legs still dangling over the edge of the bed I laid back looking at my old bedroom. It was a decent sized room but it didn't feel like home anymore, not like it used to.
After what felt like an hour or two my eyes started to flutter shut against my will. Not a minute later I heard Marcus's deep chuckle as he entered the room. I opened my eyes a little to peak at him.
"You haven't even changed into your pajamas." He said with a laugh before kneeling down in front of me.
"I'm too tired to care about my clothes." I grumbled tiredly.
I felt Marcus slipping my shoes and socks off gently then he stood up and disappeared into the bathroom for a moment, I could hear the sounds of the shower in the background. Marcus's came back over to me and made me stand up, to my annoyance. He helped me undress quickly and led me to the bathroom before he too undressed and helped me into the shower.
"I like our shower better." I said as I let him wash my hair for me.
As do I, Luna mine.
Once we were done, I was still half asleep, Marcus dried us off and he grabbed a pair of underwear and a small nightgown for me helping me into them. He put on a pair of boxers and turned off the lights before tucking me into bed underneath the blankets. Climbing into the bed on the other side. He wrapped his arms around me and I snuggled into him thankful I could finally just fall asleep.